Malique Lewis
July 11, 2024
Gorjok Gak
- Nationality: AUS/USA
- Date of Birth: 1/09/96
- Place of Birth: St Clair (NSW)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 102
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Florida (2016-2020) / California Baptist (2020-21)
- NBL DEBUT: 18/09/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 26
- LAST NBL GAME: 8/02/25
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 28
- NBL History: Brisbane 2023 | South East Melbourne 2024, 2026 | Tasmania 2025
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Gorjak Gak was born in St Clair (NSW) and was raised the city of Sydney. He later moved to the US and attended Victory Rock Prep in Sarasota, Florida.
Capable of making big defensive plays and swatting opponents into the stands, whilst measuring in at 211cm he is listed as having a 7-foot-4 wingspan.
FAMILY: Gorjok’s brother, Akoldah Gak also played 68 games in the NBL.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Gorjok Gak made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 26 years of age. He scored seven points in his first game.
On 6 July 2022, Gorjak Gak signed a one-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets, joining a reloaded roster that included Boomers star Aron Baynes and NBA veteran Tyler Johnson, former Phoenix Suns teammates. The Bullets, who had finished second-last the previous season, bolstered their lineup further with Devondrick Walker (via NBL1), Harry Froling (via Illawarra), Rasmus Bach (via New Zealand), and DJ Mitchell, the son of former Bullets import Mike Mitchell, alongside returning players Jason Cadee, Tyrell Harrison, Tanner Krebs, and captain Nathan Sobey.
Brisbane’s off-season acquisitions sparked optimism, with many predicting a top-four finish, though concerns lingered over Sobey’s recovery from a knee injury and Baynes’ return from a life-altering neck injury. Unfortunately, six games into the season, the Bullets were still winless, with Baynes (11.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) and Sobey (15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists) struggling to find their pre-injury forms.
Brisbane finally broke their losing streak with consecutive wins against Illawarra. The first win (82-56) featured a standout performance by Baynes with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while the second victory (86-61) saw Sobey score a career-high 22 first-half points. The team extended their streak with a narrow win over Tasmania (74-72), but the momentum halted when the club released underperforming import Walker (9.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) and dismissed head coach James Duncan.
Andrew White replaced Walker, and General Manager Sam Mackinnon stepped in as interim coach before assistant coach Greg Vanderjagt took over for the season’s remainder. Meanwhile, internal tensions between CEO Peter McLennan and Mackinnon emerged, with Brisbane suffering heavy losses, including a 37-point defeat to New Zealand and a record 49-point loss to Sydney. The Bullets finished second-last again (8-20), with three of their wins coming against Illawarra, who recorded their worst season ever.
Despite Tyler Johnson (15.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals) being nominated for Sixth Man of the Year, the season fell short of expectations, leading to a major roster shakeup. In 25 games, Gak averaged 4.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, with his best performance coming in Round 13 against Melbourne United, where he posted 18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2023/24
On 10 April 2023, Gak signed a one-year contract with the South East Melbourne Phoenix. CEO Tommy Greer expressed excitement about Gak’s potential impact, noting that he would “fill a key role for the team next season playing behind Alan Williams” and bring a new dimension defensively with his rim protection and agility.
Gak played 15 minutes per game across 17 appearances in an injury-interrupted NBL24 season, contributing to the Phoenix’s interior defense and fast-break plays.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2024/25
For NBL25, Gak joined the Tasmania JackJumpers, stepping in as backup center for Will Magnay following Marcus Lee’s departure. Head Coach Scott Roth highlighted Gak’s athleticism, rebounding, and shot-blocking abilities, emphasising his “next man up mentality” shown in his previous season with Phoenix. Roth added, “A great rebounder, shot blocker and will provide that extra rim protection for us.”
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2025/26
In 2026, Gorjok Gak departed the South East Melbourne Phoenix mid-season after being released from the remainder of his contract to pursue a playing opportunity in Asia, including a move to China, sources told ESPN. His departure created a vacant roster spot at the Phoenix, which was subsequently filled by Luke Rosendale.
Gorjok Gak currently plays for the South East Melbourne Phoenix and has played 75 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists since entering the league in 2022.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 29 | South East Melbourne | 22-11 (3) | 9 | 60.6 | 26 | 21 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 56% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 5 | 10 | 50% | 57% | 58% | 11 |
| 2024-25 | 28 | Tasmania | 13-16 (7) | 24 | 226.4 | 109 | 62 | 6 | 46 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 13 | 47 | 46 | 82 | 56% | 5 | 9 | 56% | 12 | 27 | 44% | 57% | 59% | 11 |
| 2023-24 | 27 | South East Melbourne | 10-18 (10) | 17 | 265.6 | 92 | 83 | 6 | 29 | 54 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 49 | 40 | 81 | 49% | 2 | 3 | 67% | 10 | 14 | 71% | 52% | 51% | 13 |
| 2022-23 | 26 | Brisbane | 8-20 (9) | 25 | 359.2 | 115 | 103 | 28 | 39 | 64 | 12 | 13 | 30 | 63 | 47 | 89 | 53% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 21 | 36 | 58% | 54% | 53% | 18 | Totals | 75 | 912 | 342 | 269 | 42 | 122 | 147 | 31 | 25 | 52 | 170 | 143 | 270 | 53.0% | 8 | 16 | 50.0% | 48 | 87 | 55.2% | 55% | 54% | 18 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 29 | South East Melbourne | 22-11 (3) | 9 | 6.7 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 56% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 50% | 0.6 | 1.1 | 50% | 57% | 58% | 11 |
| 2024-25 | 28 | Tasmania | 13-16 (7) | 24 | 9.4 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 56% | 0.2 | 0.4 | 56% | 0.5 | 1.1 | 44% | 57% | 59% | 11 |
| 2023-24 | 27 | South East Melbourne | 10-18 (10) | 17 | 15.6 | 5.4 | 4.9 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 49% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 67% | 0.6 | 0.8 | 71% | 52% | 51% | 13 |
| 2022-23 | 26 | Brisbane | 8-20 (9) | 25 | 14.4 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 3.6 | 53% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.8 | 1.4 | 58% | 54% | 53% | 18 | Total | 75 | 12.2 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 3.6 | 53.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 55.2% | 55% | 54% | 18 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 18 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Willetton (2023), Rockingham (2024), Casey (2025)
Gak joined Willetton Tigers for the 2023 NBL1 West season and gave the club an immediate interior presence, averaging 20.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists across 22 games while earning NBL1 West Defensive Player of the Year and All-Star Five honours.
His 2023 season with Willetton also included All-NBL1 West First Team selection, with Gak finishing second on the team in scoring, leading the Tigers in rebounding and blocks, and producing a standout 27-point, 21-rebound and six-assist game against South West Slammers.
Gak joined Rockingham Flames for the 2024 NBL1 West season and switched teams within the same conference, averaging 20.4 points, 10.95 rebounds, 2.25 assists and 1.2 blocks across 20 games.
His 2024 season with Rockingham brought a second straight All-NBL1 West First Team selection and NBL1 West All-Defensive Team honours, with Gak leading the Flames in rebounding and ranking among the team’s top scorers while adding 24 points and 11 rebounds in a win over South West Slammers.
Gak joined Casey Cavaliers for the 2025 NBL1 South season after signing for the remainder of the campaign, giving Casey another frontcourt option during its push through the season.
His 2025 season with Casey finished at 13 games, with Gak averaging 6.54 points, 3.54 rebounds and 1.0 assists while completing the third state league stop of his Australian career.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Czech Republic - CEZ Nymburk (2021–2022) | Greece - Peristeri Domino’s (2025) | China - Sichuan Blue Whales (2025–2026)
Gak joined CEZ Nymburk for the 2021–22 Czech NBL season, playing his first season in the Czech Republic, and the club announced his signing in July 2021 with Nymburk’s official site noting he became the first Australian in team history.
With CEZ Nymburk in 2021–22, Gak helped the club win the Czech NBL championship and averaged 13.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game across league play.
Gak also appeared for Nymburk in the 2021–22 Basketball Champions League, where he played six games and averaged 1.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Gak joined Peristeri Domino’s for the rest of the 2024–25 Greek Basketball League season after signing on March 22, 2025, and he went on to play five league games while averaging 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds.
During his short Peristeri stint, he appeared in the Greek league playoffs and recorded 2 points and 3 rebounds in the April 14, 2025 quarter-final game against Panathinaikos AKTOR.
Gak moved to the Sichuan Blue Whales for the 2025–26 Chinese Basketball Association season after signing in December 2025, correcting the earlier China team placeholder, and RealGM’s international record lists him with Sichuan from December 27, 2025.
With Sichuan in 2025–26, Gak played 14 CBA games and averaged 7.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game, while recording three double-doubles and a season high of 16 points.
COLLEGE
Gorjok Gak played four seasons at Florida from 2016–17 to 2019–20, entering the program in 2016 after initially signing with Oklahoma State before being released from his letter of intent following a coaching change, then joining the Gators in April 2016.
His freshman season in 2016–17 was disrupted when he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA early in the year before having his eligibility restored on appeal, and he finished the season with 15 appearances for Florida while totaling 23 points and 23 rebounds.
As a sophomore in 2017–18, Gak played 29 games while dealing with knee soreness and swelling, averaging 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds as he remained a depth big in Florida’s frontcourt rotation.
Following offseason knee surgery, he redshirted the 2018–19 season, then returned in 2019–20 but suffered a dislocated shoulder in an October practice and appeared in two games while battling injuries before leaving the program at the end of December.
Gak transferred to California Baptist for the 2020–21 season as a graduate transfer and immediately became one of the most productive big men in the Western Athletic Conference, playing and starting all 23 games while averaging 13.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
He led the WAC in blocks with 39, ranked third in the league in field-goal percentage at 61.7 percent, scored in double figures 19 times, recorded 10 double-doubles, and produced a career-high 26 points against Long Beach State on January 23, 2021.
His senior season at California Baptist earned major conference recognition as he was named Second Team All-WAC, WAC All-Defensive Team, and WAC All-Newcomer Team, while also receiving NABC All-District Second Team honours.
AWARDS
- NABC All-District (6) Second Team (2021)
-
WAC All-Conference Second Team (2021)
-
WAC All-Defensive Team (2021)
-
WAC All-Newcomer Team (2021)
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